Two Germans arrested for placing paintings in Louvre's Mona Lisa hall

Paris, France – Police arrested two German nationals on Saturday after they affixed two unauthorized paintings to the wall of the Salle des États, the gallery that houses Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa at the Louvre Museum. The incident was reported to museum security staff, who promptly contacted the police and secured the area while investigators retrieved the artworks and assessed any potential damage.

Authorities confirmed that the suspects were taken into custody without incident and are being questioned about their motives and whether the paintings were intended as a protest, a prank or a commercial stunt. Louvre officials said the museum’s security protocols functioned as designed, allowing the exhibition to reopen to the public shortly after the removal of the objects. The investigation remains ongoing, and the museum has not disclosed any further details pending the outcome of police inquiries.